Publishing professionals near and far gathered for this year’s Bologna Children’s Book Fair—which took place March 26 through 29—to scout out new talent and trends, celebrate accomplished artists, and connect with colleagues in the industry throughout the world. Read on for our photo-tour with highlights from the event, featuring visiting authors and illustrators, award presentations, parties, and more.
The Penguin Random House stand was abuzz with activity as the fair got underway. Photo: Diane Roback.
Li Ruiyu, China’s ambassador to Italy, addressed the opening ceremony of the book fair on March 26. Photo: Ed Nawotka.
This year’s Bologna fellows, Benas Berantas, a literary agent from Vilnius, Lithuania, and Crenguta Mihaila Podolan, assistant rights manager with Editura Rao in Bucharest, Romania.
Dealmakers and scouts gathered at the Literary Agents Center to talk international trends. Photo: Rachel Deahl.
Publishers searching for pavilions 29 and 30 saw this sight instead; new halls are being built, in time for next year’s fair. Photo: Diane Roback.
(From l.): Author-illustrator Jeff Kinney joined Pico Floridi, president of Il Castoro, and translator Francesco Durante for a press conference in honor of the first-ever Neapolitan edition of Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Book 13 in the Wimpy Kid series, which is due from Abrams on October 30, was also announced during the Bologna Book Fair. Photo: Emma Kantor.
On the collective Australia stand, illustrator Ann James drew pictures and chatted with aspiring children’s book artists. Photo: Diane Roback.
Andersen Press publisher Klaus Flugge (top), who has been attending Bologna since the first one in 1963, toasted this year’s fair with Jean Christophe Boele van Hensbroek, publisher of Lemniscaat. Photo: Diane Roback.
Jill Grinberg Literary Management hosted a reception for Renegades author Marissa Meyer (second from l.), joined here by JGLM agents (from l.) Jill Grinberg, Katelyn Detweiler, and Cheryl Pientka.
Author Kwame Alexander attended the fair to talk up his new Versify imprint. Here, he strolled the aisles with HMH Kids publisher Cat Onder. Photo: Diane Roback.
A look at the new David Fickling Books stand, in the U.K. hall. Photo: Diane Roback.
On March 27, author Jacqueline Woodson was named the winner of the 2018 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, the world’s largest children’s book prize. Members of the Astrid Lindgren Award jury joined Robert Rydberg, ambassador of Sweden to Italy (second from r.), in Bologna for the announcement. Photo: Emma Kantor.
Christopher Franceschelli (l.), publisher of Handprint Books, meets with Damien Giard, digital director of Bayard Jeunesse. Photo: Diane Roback.
Books celebrating girl power and social activism had a strong showing at the fair. Photo: Diane Roback.
Italian illustrator Marco Somà (seated) signed copies of his books and drew pictures for fans, at the Kite Edizione booth. Photo: Emma Kantor.
Taking a break between meetings to indulge in some gelato. Photo: Diane Roback.
Eddie Gamarra of The Gotham Group and Leah Thaxton, publisher of Faber and Faber Children’s Books, shared a laugh. Photo: Fiona Kenshole.
(From l.): At Random House’s Sunday night reception, the traditional curtain-raiser to the fair: Molly Ker Hawn, literary agent at The Bent Agency; Ben Horslen, fiction publisher at Puffin U.K.; and Mary Pender-Coplan of United Talent Agency. Photo: Diane Roback.
Publishers explored the titles at the collective Ireland stand. Photo: Diane Roback.
Fiona Kenshole (r.) of Transatlantic Agency, meeting with Marzena Currie, a scout with Eccles Fisher Associates. Photo: Diane Roback.
Breaking bread: author-illustrator Sydney Smith (l.) and editor Neal Porter of Holiday House. Photo: Diane Roback.
Enchanted Lion hosted a gallery exhibition and book launch for The Forest at ZOO on March 27. The event drew between 300 and 350 people. Illustrators Violeta Lopíz (l.) and Valerio Vidali, who created the installation, were present to sign books. Author Riccardo Bozzi also attended the celebration. Enchanted Lion is also producing a co-edition with Gallimard in France, Terre di Mezzo Editore in Italy, and Milrazones in Spain, which will publish in June.
Fairgoers checked out the finalists for the 2018 Silent Book Contest, which honors exceptional wordless picture books. Photo: Emma Kantor.
Penguin Random House hosted a party for author Tom Fletcher, who performed songs inspired by his middle grade books, The Christmasaurus and The Creakers. Photo: Stephanie Thwaites.
The Rebel Girls stand showcased Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls by Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo—which holds the record for the most crowdfunded children’s book—and its sequel. Photo: Diane Roback.
Barbara Marcus (l.), president and publisher of Random House Children’s Books, with Philippa Milnes-Smith of the LAW literary agency. Photo: Diane Roback.
This Japanese stand featured a pair of unusual greeters. Photo: Diane Roback.
A late-night stroller in Bologna’s almost deserted Piazza Maggiore, which dates back to the 15th century. Photo: Diane Roback.
Alla prossima!
